Jersey A 11, Guernsey A 9: Despite failing to score when put into bat in the inter-insular Jersey responded well by also shutting out Guernsey and, as their confidence grew, they began to dominate play.
Jersey led from the second innings as they put on two runs to Guernsey’s one, and by the end of the third had extended their lead to 6-1, with a triple base hit from Dan de Oliveira.
After a no-score fourth innings Jersey regained their momentum in the fifth and an impressive five further runs were added to their tally after a triple, a double and another triple, from Michaela Poingdestre, Pete Warrell and Phil Bouchard respectively.
Now 11-1 ahead and the home crowd scenting victory, Guernsey came back strongly, with double bases reducing the deficit.
Another two in the sixth innings brought the score to 11-7 as Jersey failed to score.
The Island kept their collective nerve as John Pendergast took the next two outs with a fine run-back and tag, then a sharp catch, to finish the game two runs clear Jersey B 5, Guernsey B 4: A defensive game in which runs were scarce, Jersey took a brief 3-2 lead in the fourth with solid base hits from the middle order, only for Guernsey to level, then overtake them 4-3 in the fifth.
Jersey went ahead again in the sixth after two two-base walks and base-hits from Chrissie Lawlor, Chris Le Lion and Sam Duffy.
Knowing that they would win if they shut out Guernsey in the seventh, they took the first two outs quickly.
Refusing to give in, Guernsey got their next two batters into scoring positions, but in the end a simple catch by Andy Audrain after a Guernsey high ball towards the Jersey outfield secured the victory.
In Saturday’s inter-island club matches Barclays League Division I Storm beat Guernsey Red Sox 8-6 and Division II AIB Shamrocks snatched a 7-6 win against Guernsey Rangers.
Storm were at their defensive best, closing down Red Sox with a double play then rallying well after losing their first two at bat to take a 4-2 lead.
They stopped their opponents scoring in the next four innings while adding to their own tally to lead 8-2 after the fifth.
Red Sox scored three in the sixth but Storm maintained the defence and ran out 8-6 winners.
Shamrocks produced a faultless performance in the Division II encounter, defending resolutely with notable catches and shutting out Rangers in three of their seven innings.
Needing three runs to win, Shamrocks achieved the required total through Sophie Woodrow, Karen Warner and Derek Willder.
Jersey A: Graeme Ferguson (capt), Phil Bouchard, Dan de Oliveira, John Pendergast, Mike Poingdestre, Pete Warrell, Lyn Ferguson, El Blazey, Andrea Roe, Ronnie McAllister, Michaela Poingdestre, Kirstin Buttle-Ulvin.
Subs: Dave Luce, Derek Willder, Jenny Carnegie.
Jersey B: Andy Audrain (capt), Chris Le Lion, Ronnie Le Monnier, Sean Downes (Paul Wilkinson), Franck Matthews, Sophie Woodrow, Sam Duffy, Chrissie Lawlor, Claire Malzard, Giselle Gosselin.
Subs: Ric Pedro, Garry Le Maistre, Amanda Kelly, Lindsay Millar.
